All aboard the Seabourn Encore!

Seattle-based luxury cruise operators Seabourn has added another to its line-up of ultra-luxurious liners. Say hello to the Seabourn Encore!

The cruise ship was first delivered on November 30, 2016, after four years of planning and designing by New York-based hospitality designer Adam D Tihany. Spanning a length of 690ft, the Encore has been fitted with 300 all-suite accommodations to carry up to 600 travellers. The design of the ship is what Tihany describes as “revolutionary evolution”, where he applied his expertise in hospitality to provide comfort, while also coming up with a beautiful designed for the ship. “What I do is observe how people use the product,” he says at today’s media roundtable. “I want it to be curvy and sinuous. I want it to look like a luxury yacht. I want it to be sexy.”

He adds: “Coming also from a hospitality background, I want to make sure everybody is comfortable. I want to make sure the lighting is right. And you won’t find a single furniture on the ship that is uncomfortable. All these things are extremely important.”

Set to be christened tomorrow at a ceremony in Singapore, the ship will be spending three months cruising the shorelines of the Pacific Rim, before taking on the Mediterranean in the summer. Additionally, Seabourn also let on that its next vessel, the Seabourn Ovation, will be launched in spring 2018, taking on some of the latest introductions on the Encore.

We take a look at what’s new and exciting with this new luxury liner.

New introductions

1) The Grill by Thomas Keller

A partnership with award-winning American chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller sees the launch of this signature restaurant, which will soon be rolled out on all Seabourn ships. Inspired by the classic American chophouse, The Grill by Thomas Keller will present a menu of timeless favourites including Lobster Thermidor and steaks. The wine list and even the music is curated by chef Keller himself.

2) Sushi

The first Asian restaurant on any of Seabourn’s cruises, Sushi offers tabletop dining and a sushi bar. During lunch, bento sets will be served, complete with miso soup and pickles on the side, while dinner will serve fresh, high-grade sushi created by chefs working in full view.

3) The Retreat

Situated on the top deck, The Retreat on the topmost deck serves as an outdoor living room, where guests can stretch out on comfortable sun loungers or pull up a bar stool to sip on exclusive cocktails created just for this space. An overarching canopy shields guests from the harsh sun and wind, with a whirlpool taking centre stage. Surrounding it are 15 private cabanas that are equipped with a cushy sofa, television set, refrigerator and ceiling fan.

Collaborations

1) Culinary partnership with Thomas Keller

Bringing his expertise in French and American cuisine on board, the Michelin-starred chef will work to further enhance the gastronomic offerings with Seabourn.

2) Entertainment partnership with Sir Tim Rice

The same musical talent that brought you Evita’s “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and The Lion King’s “Hakuna Matata”, Sir Tim Rice has created a concert-style presentation exclusively for those on board Seabourn.

3) Beauty partnership with Molton Brown

This link-up with the London-based fragrance brand will introduce exclusive bath fragrances for the Seabourn. Not only that, new body and hair collections from Molton Brown will also be available in every suite. Additionally, guests can choose their favourite from a menu of five Molton Brown therapeutic bathing experiences prepared by their suite attendant.

4) Cocktail partnership with Brian Van Flandern

Special, hand-crafted cocktails have been created specially by the world-renowned mixologist Brian Van Flandern, which uses fresh produce from the local markets at ports where the ship docks.

5) Wellness partnership with Dr Andrew Weil

The Encore‘s spa is working with the integrative medicine pioneer to offer a new Spa and Wellness with Dr Andrew Weil programme, which will be led by The Wellness Coach, a certified yoga and meditation practitioner.